Playwright and actor Hew Parham has created a unique one-man show with Symphonie of the Bicycle. Stepping on stage in the intimate Space Theatre, adorned in a white tracksuit with a green stripe, Parham immediately demonstrates his skill at using his body gestures and voice. Acclaimed director Chris Drummond has kept the focus on Parham’s likeable personality to create larger than life characters.
The story starts rather incongruously with the eruption of a volcano over 200 years ago, creating a thick black cloud of ash that devastated life around the world, creating a year without summer. Sound designer Will Spartalis and set designer Wendy Todd have teamed to create a realistic feeling of the volcano using a minimalistic stage.
So, the story goes, with horses dying from lack of food in the aftermath, German inventor Karl von Drais began developing the first bicycle. His machine, known as the “swiftwalker,” hit the road in 1817. It had no pedals, and consisted of a wooden beam with two wooden wheels with iron rims and leather covers.
Fast forward to World War 2, where Tour de France champion Gino Bartalli risks his life to secretly transport documents to save Jewish people in Northern Italy. Intertwined is a self-revelatory story about Hew himself, always running second place to his childhood friend Jake, a champion cyclist. Thus begins Hew’s transformation into an Olympic cycling hopeful, pushing himself to sickness with the help of a trainer we never see.
The story moves from Gino to Hew to Jake at such a pace that it becomes difficult to know who’s who (or should that be who’s Hew?). Parham’s method of slap-stick visual comedy goes some way to carrying the story, but more individuality of the characters would have helped clarify things. The overall moral of the story was also a little unclear; should we try our hardest in the face of all obstacles or should we accept the fact that there is always a loser?
That said, Symphonie of the Bicycle was an entertaining ride, with plenty of laughs along the way. With some tightening of the craziness near the finale, the mixed reaction from the audience could well have led to a full standing ovation, instead of a partial one. Entertaining, with a few wobbles near the end, Symphonie of the Bicycle is still well worth the ride.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The reviewer attended opening night on 14th May
Symphonie of the Bicycle is presented by the State Theatre Company, South Australia, and plays at Space Theatre until 25th May.
Tickets and more information HERE – people arriving by bicycle or wearing lycra on 23rd May can access a $10 ticket offer!
